keep quiet. When Sonny is arrested for Claudia's murder, Michael's attempt to confess goes unnoticed, and he is soon sent to Sonny's island. However, Sonny's new-found son, Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) finds Michael and brings him back, where he confesses under oath to Claudia's murder. Michael is sent to prison, but Jason later pleads guilty to a felony with the condition that he receive the same sentence and will share a cell with Michael in order to protect him. Unfortunately, by the time Jason gets there, Michael has been attacked by Carter, another inmate. Jason kills Carter to protect Michael. After this, Dante manages to work out a deal, getting Michael released on parole. Wanting to get "experience," Michael tries to hook up with stripper Abby Haver (Andrea Bogart) he backs out, but he and Abby become friends, and eventually start dating. After saving Abby from an abusive ex-boyfriend, Michael finally admits to his family that he was raped by Carter in prison. With Abby and his family's help, Michael goes to therapy, and is able to recover, graduating from high school. Michael and Abby both start working at ELQ When a stalker starts beating up Abby's friends, Michael sends her out of town to keep her safe. Abby has an unfortunate accident, and ends up dying, leaving Michael devastated. 2012–2014 Michael befriends a grieving Starr Manning (Kristen Alderson) after his failed attempt to save her daughter and boyfriend, and they soon start dating. Meanwhile, Michael clashes with Kristina's reality show producer Trey Mitchell (Erik Valdez) because of his friendship with Starr. As the family mourns the deaths of Jason and Michael's great-grandfather Edward Quartermaine (John Ingle), Michael becomes the center of yet another battle between Sonny, Carly and a very much alive A.J. (Sean Kanan). Michael bonds with A.J., hoping to build a relationship with him. Together, Michael and A.J. remove Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) as CEO of ELQ, allowing A.J. to take her place. Starr suddenly leaves town and dumps Michael over the phone. Michael gets drunk and wakes up in bed with Sonny's ex-wife Brenda Barrett (Vanessa Marcil), believing they have slept together; it's later revealed that they didn't. Michael welcomes Morgan (Bryan Craig) and his scheming girlfriend Kiki Jerome (also played by Alderson) into his home. Michael and Kiki initially clash, but soon fall for each other and kiss. They are soon led to believe they